"My Breasts Grew After Taking 'This Drug'... Side Effects Explained"

Taking Spironolactone for Several Years
Side Effect of "Gynecomastia" Occurs

An American man in his seventies experienced breast enlargement resembling that of a woman after taking medication for hypertension.

According to the New York Post on December 25 (local time), a 76-year-old American man developed swollen breasts after taking medication for heart failure.

76-Year-Old American Man with Enlarged Breasts Due to Side Effects of Hypertension Medication. The New England Journal of Medicine

This symptom is known as gynecomastia, which typically occurs due to hormonal imbalances caused by certain medications or puberty. The man had experienced swelling and pain in his breast tissue for the past eight months. The diagnosis revealed that the cause was spironolactone, a drug he had been taking for several years. Spironolactone is a widely used medication for treating hypertension and heart failure in the United States, with over 12 million prescriptions annually. It is known to suppress the male hormone testosterone while mimicking the effects of female hormones.

Spironolactone is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, as well as hormone-related conditions in men, including hair loss. However, it is also associated with side effects. Common side effects include dehydration, dizziness, headache, and fatigue, while erectile dysfunction and nausea may also occur. Notably, side effects such as breast enlargement, nipple pain, and decreased libido are also relatively frequent. Depending on the dosage and duration, it has been reported that about 10 to 30 percent of men taking this medication experience breast growth.

In fact, more than half of all men experience breast tissue enlargement at least once in their lifetime. For some, the symptoms resolve naturally. However, if the condition is caused by medication side effects, the best way to reduce breast size is to adjust the dosage, discontinue the medication, or switch to an alternative drug. Most cases improve within several months after stopping the medication, and especially in the early stages of symptom onset, full reversal is common. However, if the condition persists for a long period, some patients may opt for surgical removal of the breast tissue.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), male breast reduction surgery is currently the most popular cosmetic surgery among American men. The society reported that in 2024, there were 26,430 male breast reduction procedures performed, a significant increase from 20,955 in 2019.